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Published: August 8th 2007
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WOW! We are currently in Mackay having a quiet night in and finding our legs again after 3 days on a boat sailing the Whitsunday Islands. For once luck was on our side and we have had 3 days of the most glorious sunshine which is the ideal weather for exploring sandy islands with gorgeous views.
Back a few days and we actually spent a week at Airlie Beach after not really intending to stop off there in the first place. Airlie Beach is party town so a lot of goon was drunk and a lot of clubbing and pubbing day and night. We met up with two groups of lads we met in our hostel at Cairns, the first was a planned meet up as Erin had their number but the second was a total coincidence they just walked past and were staying a few doors away from us - it's a small place for such a big country!! Airlie Beach was all cloudless blue skies and they had a lagoon like Cairns - I think I'm starting to take these things for granted. Many a funny night drinking goon and playing cards was had and a good few
The Romance
..with Muffin the dingy in front of it. new catchphrases learnt!
Back to the Whitsundays which is one of the highlights of my trip so far; we were meant to be going on a budget sail boat but fortunately learned that it was out of the water as it was sinking with rust! We were upgraded to the Romance which is rumoured to be a $400 AUD trip, double what we paid and we got extras like luggage storage etc. When we got to the harbour we saw the original boat then saw ours - we were made up! Our boat had 21 guests on it and 5 crew and was big and spacious. Our cabins were down a ladder and were bunks. We left late afternoon and soon saw our first sunset and night stars. It was amazing! If you had a sleeping bag you could sleep on the deck but I didn't but drinking games ensued and I got a pretty early night (midnight!). Breakfast was at 7am and I awoke to sunlight pouring through the portholes. As usual the food was fantastic (roast dinners and freshly caught fish - nicest Ozzie food I've had yet). We had moored at Dumbell Island and then went
Whitehaven Beach
Miles of silica sand - WOW! to Whitehaven Beach for 8am where we went on a walk to a lookout point and walked in silica sand which is cool and has the texture of sand - just look at the photos which can't do it justice - WOW! Next stop was Luncheon Bay where we had our lunch and threw the leftovers to huge fish. One of the crew whistled and threw raw meat in the air and sea eagle flew down to eat it - it was huge (rumoured to be 9 foot but I'm not convinced!). We then sunbathed and snorkelled on Muffin the dinghy. I think me getting on and off the dingy would have amused a few people!! Standing in shallow water little zebra fish were swimming around my feet, the water was so crystal clear you could see them in shallow water.
More sunbathing on deck followed with some of the guys helping the crew put up the sails and then people jumping off the top sail (I'm not that adventurous yet!). We then saw an amazing sunset one side of the boat with oranges and reds and then purple and blue skies at the back of the boat where
Whitehaven lookout
Denise, Me, Erin and Gillian the moon was coming out - WOW! We sailed around Black Island and Hayman Island (a 6* celeb island). Another great meal, a few drinks with our great gang - all the other passengers where a similar age and a lot of fun as was our crew with the exception of the diving instructor. He was very touchy feely and suggestive and on the last night he punched the Captain in the face in my cabin where I had gone for an earlyish night! This resulted in all the passengers being moved to the end cabin and locked in whilst he was calmed down by the crew. The Captain called the police and made the decision to go back to Airlie Beach where he was arrested and met his solicitor. I woke up at the harbour and thought the trip was cut short but we were taken to Sunlovers Beach which isn't included in the programme but was an extra treat - with the exception of that incident it was fantastic and not a backpacker budget trip at all!! I have taken over 50 photos but shall share just a taster here.
We got a 2 1/2 hour coach
Snorkelling at Tongue Bay!
Erin, Me and Gillian (A great Glasgow girl who is going to be in Sydney at Christmas so hope to meet up again) to Mackay tonight and had showers straight away (2 minute max shower on boat didn't seem worth it plus it was over the smelly toliet!). It seems a quiet town so tomorrow we are going to Bundaberg on an overnight bus (10 hour journey but have mastered sleeping on buses) then staying there a couple of days. I hope the glorious weather sticks as I have some colour on me for once!
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Linda Birch
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Wow lucky you.....
Hello Love, wow, looks fantasic,what a life your having. I am very jealous. Hope you were not sick on the boat, not like someone we won't mention in Turkey....Rain, rain and more rain here. Floods are very bad in places.Yorkshirebeen hit very badly. Your Dad has decided to get some sand bags just as a precaution. Pam has come to stay at Grandmas for a fortnight. We went to the Queens Friday me Pam and your Dad to see Mick the Cat, he was very good. Had quite a few scoops and nursed a very bad hangover next day!!! Well keep the blogs coming the "old buggers " really look forward to them. Love you loads Linda xx